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The arrests came after 37 searches were conducted across the Atlantic coast in the Sucre, Cordoba, and Antioquia provinces.

Among the arrested included members known as “Yeison” and “Gordi Gordi”, who were implicated in the murder of Ricardo Martinez, brother of ex-mining minister Hernan Martinez. The murder, which occurred in 2010, was part of a larger attempt to extort wealthy Colombian families on the Atlantic coast.

Two aspiring politicians who hoped to get elected to the council and mayoralty of the municipality Tuchin in the Cordoba province were also arrested, charged with having links to the Urabeños.